317th AG participates in Stolen Cerberus II

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 317th Airlift Group recently traveled to Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Feb. 2-14, to participate in Stolen Cerberus II.

Stolen Cerberus II is a building partnership capacity exercise between the U.S. Air Force and the Hellenic Air Force. The two-week flying training deployment gave the 317th AG opportunity to work with one of the NATO allies, as well as Airmen and Soldiers from U.S. European Command, by sharing tactics, techniques and procedures. 

"We contributed instructor pilots and loads to help teach U.S. Air Forces in Europe crews," Esses said. "We also took on a share of the mission planning cell for all crews.  Our joint airdrop inspectors instructed and inspected for quality control of all airdrop loads."

The mission of Stolen Cerberus II was to develop joint cohesion and determine the interoperability amongst all units.

"Our goal was to be on the same page with plans and procedures when we operate for future deployments," said Maj. Jonathan Esses, 317th AG chief of plans and programs.

Greece was chosen as the destination for Stolen Cerberus II because of their world-class facility for air drops and better terrain profile. It also allowed for all units train in a short period of time.

"As far as geography, in a single sortie we were able to fly anywhere from a coastal mission up to 7,000 feet in the mountains," Esses said. "This gives a broad range of aircraft performance considerations as well as a variety of simulated areas of responsibility.  We cannot replicate this on a local sortie because the terrain variation is not as pronounced. Greece also has an extensive island system, which permitted us coastal access and open water flying."

The Hellenic Air Force was able to benefit from the U.S. Armed Forces and vice versa.

"The Hellenic Air Force was able to assist us with mountain, low-level planning and terrain awareness as well as filing foreign flight plans," Esses said. "The host nation was able to rig heavy equipment and a variety of Container Delivery System bundles, as well as provide paratroopers to increase proficiency on personnel airdrop."

The 317th AG was also able to accomplish upgrade requirements because of the two-week training.

"While we were able to complete upgrade training for several of our aircrew, we helped certify the airdrop riggers for the Hellenic Air Force," said Capt. Alexander Johns, 40th Airlift Squadron chief of tactical training.

The 317th AG gained an opportunity to interact with foreign military units that they normally don't get to experience.

"It is a rare chance for the Air Mobility Command to participate given that these missions are largely done by the Air National Guard and Reserve or by resident units overseas," Esses said. "It is also a chance to share operating procedures between airlift units. There is a lot that can be learned both from the American and Greek military aircrews."